Sir, Congratulations to all concerned on the excellent and timely supplement on Irish Aid and the Developing World (November 13th). The Irish Government indeed has much to be proud of in its increased aid and the manner it is handled, but I was surprised that no one gave credit to its doubling of contribution to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The failure to mention the population issue at all in relation to the problem of sustainable development, poverty and hunger, or to give credit to the role of the UNFPA, shows how far we have got to go before the lessons on the Cairo Conference are taken on board by development NGOs. Concern with the population side of the equation must surely be an increasing factor in most integrated development programmes if real progress is to be achieved? - Yours, etc.,
Chief executive, Population Concern Ireland Ltd,
25 Wolfe Tone Square West, Bray, Co Wicklow.